City meets key deadline for funding rapid bus transit project

Plans for Nashville's proposed bus rapid transit project known as The Amp took another step toward reality on Tuesday as the city met a deadline to apply for a key piece of the funding.

The Metro Transit Authority wants to build a rapid transit system to connect east and west Nashville along some of the city's busiest routes.

To do so, MTA wants $75 million in federal funds to help pay for the project.

The city wants the state to pitch in millions but acknowledged it's not a given.

"Obviously, this has a lot of moving parts, and we're only at 30 percent of the final design," said MTA board member Lewis Lavine. "We have a number in mind for the state, a number in mind for the locality, the local funding. But we have to go to the feds."

The city will find out if it will receive that money early next year when the president unveils his 2014 budget.

"Today's news – that MTA has submitted a strong application for federal funding of the Amp – is great news and a very important step in moving the Amp project forward. The Federal Transit Administration will play a critical role in making the Amp a reality, and we are very happy that MTA has successfully completed the application for federal funding, and submitted it in advance of the deadline. The Amp Coalition is excited to be one step closer to our goal, and we look forward to participating in the public discussion of this important project."

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File). FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, actor Morgan Freeman attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala in New York. Freeman is apologizing to anyone who may have felt “uncomfortable or disrespected” by his behavior....

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>